Contextualization

The Earth, the planet we live on, is surrounded by a gaseous layer known as the atmosphere. This atmosphere is composed of a wide range of gases, with Nitrogen (78%) and Oxygen (21%) being predominant, as well as other gases like Argon (0.93%) and Carbon Dioxide (0.04%). Even in smaller proportions, these other gases play a crucial role for life on Earth. This composition is not static, as it can be changed by natural or human-caused phenomena.

The complexity of air composition is a fascinating and extremely important subject. It is fundamental to understand which gases make up the air, their proportions, and functions, as well as their influences on the climate and life on Earth. This project aims to bring a practical and theoretical approach so that you, students, can unravel this great mystery that is the composition of the air.

Introduction to the Project

We live surrounded by air, we breathe the air, but many times, we do not realize its importance and complexity. We tend to think of the air as something simple, when in fact it is a complex and delicate balance of different gases. Each of these gases plays a vital role, from allowing us to breathe, to protecting the Earth from the sun's harmful rays, to even allowing the existence of aquatic life.

This "Air Composition" project was created so that you, 7th grade students, can venture into the exploration of this topic, discovering more about the importance of the air composition and its relation to life and climate on Earth. We will work not only with concepts from the fields of Science and Geography, but also with socio-emotional skills such as time management, communication, problem solving and creative thinking.

Practical Activity

Title: "Journey of Air Composition"

Project Objective

The project aims to research, document and present the composition of air, its main components, its importance for life on Earth, and how human activity can impact this composition.

Project Description

Groups will be responsible for creating a dynamic and informative multimedia presentation, including slides, charts, images, videos, and physical models if possible, about the composition of air.

The project should be divided into five main parts:

1. The Composition of Air. In this section, students should discuss what the main components of the air are and in what proportions they are present.
2. The Importance of the Components of Air. Students should explore the role of each of the components of the air for life on Earth.
3. Human Influence. Here, students should investigate how human activities impact the composition of the air.
4. Climate Change and Air Pollution. Students are encouraged to explore the concepts of climate change and air pollution and their relations with the air composition.
5. The Future of Air. As a final project, students should make predictions about how the composition of air may change in the future and what could be the implications of these changes.

Required Materials

Students will need the following materials to complete this project:

• Books and online resources for research;
• Computer programs to create presentations, such as PowerPoint or Google Slides;
• Arts and crafts supplies to create physical models, if desired;
• A camera or smartphone to take pictures or record videos, if necessary.

Step by Step

1. Group Formation: Form groups of 3 to 5 students. Each group will work together to conduct the research and create the presentation.

2. Research: Students should begin by researching the composition of air, using the resources provided and any other relevant ones they may find. They should make sure to cover all of the topics listed above.

3. Presentation Planning: Based on the research conducted, students should plan out their presentation. They should decide who will cover each topic, how they will present the information, and what kind of visuals they will use.

4. Presentation Creation: Using the plan they created, students should then work together to create their presentation. They should make sure that all members of the group are contributing equally.

5. Presentation Revision: Before turning in their presentation, students should review their final work, making any necessary changes.

6. Project Submission: Students should turn in their finalized presentation to their teacher for assessment.

Project Report

Upon completion of the practical portion of the project, groups must write a document reporting the research results in the format of a report containing: Introduction, Development, Conclusions, and Bibliography used.

In the Introduction, students should contextualize the theme, its relevance and application in the real world, as well as the objective of this project. In the Development section, students should explain the theory behind the central theme of the project, describe the activity in detail, indicate the methodology used and, finally, present and discuss the results obtained. In the Conclusion, students should summarize their main points, explain the lessons learned, and the conclusions drawn about the project. The Bibliography should indicate the sources on which they based themselves to work on the project.

Documents should be emailed to the teacher by the stipulated date.